High School Student and Computer Science Degree recommendation

[vetvso]

My oldest son will will be graduating next year, and he has been preparing to test out of his degree. His strengths are in computer science, and he would prefer TESU.

He is currently taking high school classes and preparing for tests in
AP Tests: AP Lit, AP history,

DSST Tests: DSST Computing and Information Technology, Fundamentals of Cybersecurity,

CLEP: Information Systems

Straigherline: C++ Programming

What degree would everyone recommend, and something he could test out of or take classes like Straigterline or ALEKS to complete his requirements.

He really likes programming, and has been doing this for about 10 years now.

I am more of a social science guy so I could use some help.

[dfrecore]

At most schools the CLEP and DSST are overlapping and both won't count, so I wouldn't take both. Take the DSST MIS exam instead.

If he wants to become a programmer, then I would suggest doing the BA in Computer Science. The other computer degrees don't really have programming as an outcome, as far as I can see (anything like a BSBA in CIS, or an IT degree).

He won't be able to test completely out, but most of the courses he needs for the AOS can be gotten at a local CC or fairly cheaply online. He can completely test out of the Gen Ed's, Free Electives, come core courses, etc.

[rowan555]

My oldest son will will be graduating next year, and he has been preparing to test out of his degree. His strengths are in computer science, and he would prefer TESU.



I am more of a social science guy so I could use some help.

Have you guys looked into WGU at all? Their IT programs seem really fantastic, and he would graduate with several certifications as well as his degree. If he knows the material he can breeze through the courses and go right to the final exam/assessment. My 17 year old son is currently taking Study.com and Straighterline courses with a plan to enroll at WGU in April with only 36 credits needed to complete his degree - with WGU's all-you-can-take program, he plans to complete this in one term for a cost of $3,000 - it's really hard to beat that. He's doing business, not IT, but the same would apply for any of their programs. And both programs have quite a few Straighterline courses guaranteed to transfer.

[dfrecore]

Have you guys looked into WGU at all? Their IT programs seem really fantastic, and he would graduate with several certifications as well as his degree. If he knows the material he can breeze through the courses and go right to the final exam/assessment. My 17 year old son is currently taking Study.com and Straighterline courses with a plan to enroll at WGU in April with only 36 credits needed to complete his degree - with WGU's all-you-can-take program, he plans to complete this in one term for a cost of $3,000 - it's really hard to beat that. He's doing business, not IT, but the same would apply for any of their programs. And both programs have quite a few Straighterline courses guaranteed to transfer.

I agree that WGU has good programs, but I don't think they apply to someone who wants to be a programmer. But I could be wrong.

[TrailRunr]

I would suggest a pure and more mathy computer science curriculum rather than a somewhat more vocational curriculum at WGU. But a WGU IT degree is what I would prefer over anything at TESU (BSBA:CIS, BSAST) other than TESU's BA in CS. The WGU IT degrees include IT certifications, which might be helpful in getting a first job.

The link in my signature has all the details for TESU BA in CS.

From the list you have, you're missing calculus 1&2 (SL Calc 1/2 or AP Calculus BC). I would strongly advise taking AP Calc BC since that can be used in traditional CS programs if he wants to change his plans. He will have to take data structures at a community college. It's best to take linear algebra at APU to use it as upper level instead of lower level. 3 of the other UL credits can be tested out (system analysis CSU Global, cybersecurity DSST, MIS DSST). That leaves 1 more UL CS course and the capstone at TESU. But don't worry about any of this today:

You are rapidly running out of time for ALEKS with its ACE recommendation expiring 11/30/16. Take one course each day starting with 11/27. Take intermediate algebra, college algebra, precalc, and statistics. Request from ACE as soon as the initial assessment is passed. Rinse and repeat.

[rowan555]

I agree that WGU has good programs, but I don't think they apply to someone who wants to be a programmer. But I could be wrong.

I was thinking of their software developer degree.